Headteacher Reference Groups

The Headteacher Reference Groups advise on the potential impact of policies on primary and secondary education, including any barriers to implementation. There are 2 groups - the Primary Headteacher Reference Group and the Secondary Headteacher Reference Group.

Terms of reference

The Headteacher Reference Groups support policy development and implementation across the Department for Education (DfE) by contributing views and providing feedback to ministers and officials. The groups are not representative and have no power of veto over policy decisions.

Meeting dates

The groups meet 5 times per year, during term time.

Membership

Members of the Headteacher Reference Groups are school leaders working with a wide range of primary and secondary schools, including academies, local-authority-maintained, non-maintained and special schools across England.

Current members of the Primary Headteacher Reference Group:

  • Helen Abell, Headteacher at Godolphin Junior Academy, Berkshire
  • Jonathan Bishop, CEO at Broadclyst Community Primary School and the Cornerstone Academy Trust, Devon
  • Liz Bramley, Headteacher at Oakdene Primary, Stockton on Tees
  • James Gibson, Executive Headteacher at Becton School and Nexus Multi-Academy Trust, Rotherham
  • Paul Harris, CEO, Executive Head Teacher and NLE at Tapscott Learning Trust, London
  • Seana Henry, Headteacher at Belleville Wix Academy Quality First Education Trust, London
  • Tessa Hodgson, Headteacher at Oaklands Primary School, Greater London
  • Justin James, CEO and Executive Principal at The Lion Academy Trust, London
  • Sarah Jones, Headteacher at Sheringdale Primary School, London
  • Maria Kemble, Executive Head at The Federation of St Edmund’s and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Schools, Suffolk
  • Clare Lamb, Headteacher at All Saints’ CEVCP School, East Anglia
  • Gerida Montague, Executive Headteacher of the Learning Federation of 6 Schools, Hampshire
  • Andrew Orgill, Headteacher at Hargate Primary School, West Midlands
  • David Roundtree, Executive Headteacher at Moortown Primary and the Sphere Foundation, West Yorkshire
  • Phillip Sherwood, Headteacher at Sonning CofE Primary School, Berkshire
  • Louise Smith, CEO at Evelyn Street Primary School and Warrington Multi-Academy Trust, Cheshire
  • Chris Wheatley, CEO at Flying High Trust, Nottingham
  • Lee Wilson, Chief Executive (Primary) at Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane and Outwood Grange Academies Trust, West Yorkshire

Current members of the Secondary Headteacher Reference Group:

  • Lucy Austin, Headteacher at Hewett Academy, Norfolk
  • Caroline Barlow, Headteacher at Heathfield Community College, East Sussex
  • Tom Campbell, CEO at E-ACT, London
  • Herminder Channa OBE, Executive Principal at Oasis Academies, West Midlands
  • Stephen Deadman, Headteacher at the Children’s Hospital School, Leicestershire
  • Joanne Fairclough, Headteacher at Penk Valley Academy Trust, Staffordshire
  • Sukhraj Gill, Head of Academy at Harrogate High School, North Yorkshire
  • Andy Hodgkinson, CEO at Zenith Multi Academy Trust
  • Renata Joseph, Headteacher at Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School, London
  • Gulbanu Kader, Director of Education at the Mead Educational Trust, Leicestershire
  • Jason Kenneally, Director of Secondary at Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, West Yorkshire
  • Guy Maidment, Head of School at Dunraven School, London
  • Kaye Palmer-Greene, CEO at North Start Academy Trust, Gloucestershire
  • Dan Parkes, CEO at The Mercian Trust, Walsall
  • Adele Pearson-Atkinson, Head of Academy at Hope Wood Academy, County Durham
  • Claire Robins, Headteacher and CEO at Sir John Lawes School and Scholars Education Trust, Hertfordshire
  • Mike Roper, Headteacher at Allerton Grange School, West Yorkshire
  • Matthew Shanks, CEO and Executive Principal at Education South West, Kingsbridge
  • Sian Thomas, Headteacher at West Kirby School and College, Leicestershire
  • Colin Townsend, Principal at University of Birmingham School, West Midlands
  • David Woolley, Director of Education at the Laurus Trust, North West
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